Why Are Winter Flowers Popular in Singapore?

Since the government ramped up its anti-mozzie campaign, my house has been proudly pot-plant free. It suits my less-than-green thumb, but I admit that I miss having flowers and plants in the house. A recent visit to Fairprice Extra (the Super K-mart of Singapore) saw me come away with a huge bunch of peonies and plum blossoms - all created from hardy plastic! The saleslady and I had a good time chatting about the play on words for ‘flower’ in Chinese. There is a saying "Hua Kai Fu Gui (花开富貴)", which means, ‘When Flowers Bloom, Prosperity Comes’. In addition to looking nice, these flowers each have their own symbolism. For example, peach blossoms symbolise growth, prosperity, long life and romance - and thus popular with some single people! At any rate, these cold climate flowers remind me of a Chinese winter land, which is a refreshing thought in the tropical heat of Singapore.

Why is (Australian) Abalone Everywhere?

I’ve often noticed the expensive cans of abalone in glass cabinets at the supermarket checkout, but packing crates full of the stuff is suddenly almost blocking aisles. Another homophone (words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings), abalone is known in Chinese as baoyu, which can also mean "assurance" (bao) and "surplus" (yu) in the year ahead. It’s a popular food to eat for business people, and since SMEs make up 99% of business in Singapore, that means almost everyone! In fact, you’ll see it commonly in new year corporate hampers and auspicious gift packs.

Why So Many Broomsticks?

Brooms of every kind are still popular in Singapore, even the type made of long twigs seen more often in children’s story tales. At this time of the year, they feature prominently at the front of our local hardware store along with cleaning cloths and storage baskets. I haven’t lived in China, but I noticed that as a high-school student in Japan, cleaning in mid winter was a big deal. I have clear memories of cleaning dusty old classrooms while shivering in my plastic slippers and school uniform. Wringing icy water in the winter wasn't much fun - but I guess was good for the soul! At least in Singapore, the weather is a bit more conducive to cleaning. And for those with a more relaxed outlook on having everything in its place, you could put off cleaning until the last minute. Why? Because after Chinese New Year arrives, one is not supposed to have any brooms around lest your luck is swept away. But with all the floral decorations and goodies around, you won't be short on that!

A very cute catfish! I love the marks used by a student in my recent series of CNY linocut workshops.

Pineapple tarts, auspicious decorations and ‘hong bao' red packets!...Chinese New Year is almost here! I love the colourful decorations lining the streets, shops and homes in my neighbourhood in Singapore.

Pineapples and paper cuttings in every size for sale.

It’s a Red Fire Monkey year and this cheeky animal is all around. I also like the many auspicious symbols that can be seen such as ancient gold money called ingots, pineapples (sounds similar to ‘rich’ or ‘abundance’ in Chinese) and and ‘niangao’ cakes (representing an increase in status every year). It’s times like these that I dig out my go-to book on Chinese motifs by Patricia Bjaaland Welch.

Brown cupcakes 'huat kuey' in Hokkien are offered to the deceased. 'Niangao' round cakes with red labels on them.

This amazing array of goodies never seems to end. At my local shops I recently picked up some pineapple tarts and almond cookies they make out the back. Do support my local bakery at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh if you happen to be around. I’ll workout at the nearby open-air exercise equipment with my auntie friends later to remove the spare tyre...

I tried these last year...but just to be sure quality is maintained, I better try some again...

Food meets art - a nice example is the cute handmade labels made by a friend of mine. Eddie Loo tells me that he carves a woodblock and prints on stationery to accompany his homemade pineapple tarts - wow!

These look divine!

I especially like to see the beautiful Chinese paper cuttings stuck on people’s walls and front doors. Although most paper cuttings are now done by laser, they still have a wonderful handmade and rustic quality.

A pair of 'lu' deer bringing 'lu' ('official's salary' - meaning good income) and other treasures.

The bold design of these paper cuttings are what inspired my recent Chinese New Year linocut workshops. The graphic quality of paper cuttings translates well into relief printing. It’s such fun to see students use their prints to create unique ‘red packets’ and cards.

Like the Japanese, the Chinese also like to ‘spring-clean’ their homes. Many people decorate their entrances with new potted plants. I have to admit for a while I thought there were lots of nice plants with red flowers outside people’s doors...till I realised they were ordinary plants with bits of red pipe-cleaners twisted around them. That’s my sort of hardy flower!

No-fade flowers!

The upcoming new year means your house is supposed to be tidy so I better get back to spring-cleaning my studio! Or maybe I need do a spot of printing to 'clear-out' some paper before then...

Linocut 'ang pow' or 'hong bao' packets - money in anyone's dialect!

Chinese New Year Linocut workshop: Friday 5th February, 2016. Last one for the year - book your spot!